A man has been jailed for a knifepoint robbery in Carlisle.
Reece Holmes, 25, of Longholme Road, was sentenced to four years and eight months in prison for robbery, possession of cannabis and two counts of possession of a blade in a public place.
He pleaded guilty to the offences at a hearing on Monday, March 9.
The court heard that on February 2 at 10am police received a 999 call from a member of the public reporting a woman being robbed by a man.
The man, dressed in black and wearing a balaclava, stole the woman’s handbag at knife point before making off.
The woman suffered head and hand injuries during the incident.
Officers responding to the incident found Holmes on Cranbourne Road where he was in possession of a balaclava, a knife, items belonging to the victim and had blood on his hands.
Detective investigating the incident located CCTV footage showing the lead up to the incident in which Holmes was seen following the victim off the bus.
Holmes grabbed the victim’s bag, which was across her body.
The victim attempted to hit him with her walking stick before falling to the ground due to Holmes pulling the strap.
Holmes then cut the bag from the victim and ran off leaving her on the floor.
After the sentencing, Detective Constable Ellie McCorkell, of Cumberland CID, said “Holmes subjected the victim to a violent attack using a knife to take the woman’s bag.
“Offences of this nature are unacceptable.
“The victim suffered lacerations to her head and hand during his attack with the knife as well as a broken finger.
“The sentence reflects the seriousness taken by the courts and that we will do everything we can to bring criminals to justice.”
